Volunteers needed at Brockeridge Youth Club

Are you thinking of working with young people? Or do you have interests or skills to share, such as sports, craft or gardening? If so, Brockeridge Youth Club would like to hear from you.

The club is looking for people willing to help for a couple of hours on some Tuesday or Thursday evenings. It's a thriving group offering fun activities but unfortunately the youth leader has to turn young people away because of the lack of adults. Free training and references given, the hours are 6.30-8.30pm on Tuesdays and 7-9pm on Thursdays.

To find out more email volunteering@southernbrooks.org.uk or phone Catherine on 01454 868 570.

Time to nominate community heroes

Nominations are now open for The Chair’s Community Awards 2018. If you know a volunteer or group who has gone the extra mile to help your community, please nominate them using the forms available on this page by 5th January.

Suggested areas of contribution include community development, promoting equality, arts, sports, play, environment, working with older or young people, advice and advocacy and being a good neighbour. The chosen nominees will be notified in February and invited to a prestigious awards evening on 7 March to receive their awards. The Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, Dame Janet Trotter, attends the awards ceremony and selects an individual from the winners to receive a special Lord Lieutenant’s Award.

Crowd funding for Winterbourne Medieval Barn

Last September Winterbourne Medieval Barn won Heritage Lottery Funding and they are now working hard to raise the required matched funding.

They've been chosen to take part in a "double your donation" project, which means that for every £1 you give, NESTA and HLF will match it. The fund is only available until 24th July. So take at look at  www.crowdfunder.co.uk/winterbourne - and share the link with your friends.

Unsung heroes receive awards

Nearly thirty unsung heroes and their families attended the 2017 Chair’s Community Awards at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College’s WISE Campus last week.

The annual awards recognise and celebrate the valuable contribution local unpaid volunteers make to life in South Gloucestershire.

Locally, Andrew Edgington, received a Community Award for his work as a founder member of the Good Neighbour Scheme and as part of Village Action. There were Long Service Community Awards for Anne and Tony Moulsdale, for serving on Henfield Hall committee for over 45 years, Bryan Quinlan, for his work in Rangeworthy over 56 years as an extremely active member of the Court Players, and Margaret Bracey for collecting money for the Royal British Legion for over 70 years and her work as a member of the Women's Royal Voluntary Service. Wapley Bushes Conservation Group received a Group Award.

Well done to all the winners!

Still time to nominate for Chair's Community Awards

There's still time to nominate a "local hero" for a Chair's Community Award. Do you know an unsung hero who is contributing in areas such as community development, promoting equality, arts, sports, play, environment, working with older or young people, advice and advocacy and being a good neighbour? Or a group doing the same? For the first time in 2017, the council is taking group nominations as well as individual ones.

You can find out more and download an application form on the South Glos website. The deadline is 16th January 2017.

Nominate a voluntary group for an award

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK and it is now open for nominations.

Any group of 2 or more people, where the majority are volunteers, can be nominated for the award. The work they do should provide a service and meet a need for people living in the local community. It should be supported, recognised and respected by the local community and the people who benefit from it and it should be run locally. The group must have been running for 3 or more years.

You have until midnight on 16 September 2016 to nominate a group for the 2017 awards. More information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/queens-award-for-voluntary-service

Could you help run the Manor Hall?

The charity that runs the Manor Hall in Coalpit Heath are looking to recruit new Trustees. If you think you might have skills you can use to help this charity, you can find out more here. The deadline for applications is 15th July 2016.

Ram Hill Colliery events

The next Ram Hill Colliery Open Day will be held on Monday 30th May 2016 10am – 4.30pm. Volunteers will be giving detailed tours of the site and serving refreshments.

The Friends of Ram Hill Colliery would welcome new volunteers to help them with their work conserving the site. You can contact David or Marian Godden on 01179 322602. Their A.G.M. will be held on Thursday 23rd June 2016 7.30pm at The Miners Institute in Coalpit Heath.

Help people save energy and money

Would you like to help people save energy and money? The Centre for Sustainable Energy is looking for people to become local energy advice volunteers.

The Centre for Sustainable Energy is a charity working across the former Avon area, Somerset and Wiltshire to support people living in cold homes or having difficulty managing their energy costs. They are looking for people who can spare some time to help provide home energy advice to people in their local area.

No experience is necessary as you will be given basic training in energy efficiency and giving advice and will receive lots of "on the job" training as you are out and about with their advisors. All out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed. For more information, email volunteers@cse.org.uk

And don't forget if you're in fuel poverty, you may be eligible for a grant towards installing central heating - more information here. The scheme has now been extended to cover oil where gas is not available but if you think you are eligible, apply quickly as funds are limited.

Friends of Ram Hill Colliery looking for volunteers

The Friends of Ram Hill Colliery are looking for volunteers to help them protect this important piece of local heritage.

They urgently need a web master. This post does not involve any work at the site, it can all be done in your own home. If you are interested please email David Godden or phone him on  0117 9322602 for further details.

They are also looking for more committee members, again please contact David or Marian Godden using the above details. The committee meets every two months at the Miners Institute for about one hour. On Work Days you can be on site any time between 10.00am and 4.30pm.

Local volunteers win awards

Last night Claire spent an inspiring evening with volunteers from across South Gloucestershire who were being presented with Chair's Community Awards.
Local winners included:

• Celia Morrish, who volunteers for Great Western Ambulance Charity
• Jason Bidwell, who started Frampton Cotterell Harriers
• Paul Hulbert, who among other things is involved with Wapley Woods and the orchard for the future
• Eileen Holcombe and Shirley Owen, who provide hot lunches at Paul's Place and help the charity in other ways
• Mary Head, who is active in a long list of voluntary groups and activities inside and outside of South Gloucestershire, including many involving St Saviour's Church
• Trevor Thompson, who as well as volunteering at St Saviour's has spent a lot of time sharing his great knowledge of local history

Well done and thank you to you all.

Nominate a community hero

South Glos Council would like you to nominate your local ‘community heroes’ – people who have made a difference to their community. Suggested areas of contribution include community development, promoting equality, arts, sports, play, environment, working with older or young people, advice and advocacy and being a good neighbour.

Complete and return the Community Awards nomination form by 31 January 2016. The chosen nominees will notified un the week ending 19th February and will be invited to a prestigious awards ceremony on 17th March to receive their awards.

You can read more on the council's website.

Charity looking for volunteers and guests

The Marmalade Trust, a charity covering Bristol, South Glos and around, are looking for people who would otherwise be on their own at Christmas to be a guest at their Christmas Day event and volunteers to transport them there and back.

For more information, please call 07511 630027 or go to their website.

New garden at Winterbourne Library

If you use Winterbourne Library, you may be pleased to know that the new garden is now officially open for visitors to enjoy. It will be used as an extended library space for storytelling, outdoor crafts and play activities.

The library is on the look-out for volunteers of any age to help look after the garden and contribute ideas for using the space. Pop in to the library and talk to the staff if you would like to be involved.
For further information contact the library on 01454 868006, email winterbourne.library@southglos.gov.uk or speak to a staff member next time you visit.

Volunteer to tackle speeding

At Monday's Safer Stronger Community Group meeting, PC Finbar Simmons made a plea for more volunteers to join our local Community Speedwatch teams. If you are interested, contact John Pearce of the speedwatch steering group on 07843 871387 and he will put you in touch with your local co-ordinator.

Frampton End Road clean up this Saturday

In November we reported that local resident Alan Bracey (pictured left with his bike) was looking for volunteers to help keep Frampton End Road clean and tidy for all to enjoy. The first clean up event will take place this Saturday 14th March. If you would like to join in, the volunteers are meeting at 9.30am outside Frampton End Road. Shovels and brooms will be provided. If you have any queries, please contact Alan on 01454 772837 or email him at: aljenbracey@blueyonder.co.uk

The police are after you! (To help them)

The Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner would like to appoint three local, independent people to contribute to the work of the Independent Residents' Volunteer Panel. Members of the Panel are an important means of enhancing public trust and confidence in the handling of complaints against Avon & Somerset Police and supports the governance role of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

You can find out more on the PCC website. The closing date for applications is 16th January.

Frampton End Road to be deep cleaned

Next Wednesday (10th December) Frampton End Road is scheduled to get a "deep clean". A digger will be used to get mud off the road, the vegetation will be cut back with a flail and there will be highways and cleansing teams on hand to do other tasks.

Don't forget that local resident Alan Bracey is looking for volunteers to help keep the road clean and tidy for all to enjoy. If you can help, please contact Alan on 01454 772837 or email him at: aljenbracey@blueyonder.co.uk

Volunteers wanted for ‘Frampton End Road tlc Team’

Since Frampton End Road was closed to through traffic earlier this year walkers, cyclists and horse riders are able to enjoy safe use of this narrow, bendy picturesque country lane in the Frome Valley.

Children are able to learn to ride their bikes in safety, much to the delight of their parents. Walkers from Frampton Cotterell, Coalpit Heath, Iron Acton and further afield using the delightful Frome Valley Walkway can now enjoy circular leisure walks including Frampton End Road.

Coalpit Heath resident and ‘veteran cyclist’ Alan Bracey is hoping to form a group of local volunteers to help keep Frampton End Road clean and tidy for all to enjoy. Alan reported “I cycled through Frampton End Road this morning and for the second day running Streetcare are cutting back the hedges and making a very good job of it. I look forward to being part of a regular team to keep it clean. Believe me, this road is now a real pleasure to ride”.

If you would like to be part of the ‘Frampton End Road tlc Team’, please contact Alan on 01454 772837 or email him at: aljenbracey@blueyonder.co.uk

Your Focus Team is thrilled that local parents are now to be able to teach their children to ride their bikes in safety on Frampton End Road.

Calling all community heroes

It's time to make your nominations for the Chair's Community Awards 2015.

The annual awards recognise and celebrate the huge contribution local unpaid volunteers make to our communities. The celebration will take place in March and you have until Friday 9th January to nominate your local "community hero". You can do it online at www.southglos.gov.uk/communityawards, call 01454 863019 or email communityawards@southglos.gov.uk